"We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country."

I am hoping this day is a positive experience for all involved. I am excited AND nervous for this weekend. First of
all, I tend to get a little anxiety when doing something new... like marching in Washington, DC! Second, I'm scared of a violent attack of some sort! The march itself
is advertised as a peaceful
demonstration. It's not about rioting, civil disobedience, or
disruption of any sort. The march has permits and there will be
police officers there to protect and facilitate this demonstration.
So I do not fear that march participants will get out of
hand, but more of someone from the outside targeting us.

However, I
realize we have to live our lives. There are crazy people everywhere.
I am sure DC will have top notch security... especially since it is
inauguration weekend.

After watching
this video, produced by march officials, I felt a lot less worried
about the event overall. Note: This video cuts off at the end, you can watch the full video on the Women's March on Washington Facebook page.

There has been some criticism of the march, and I was sure to read
some articles that did criticize. (Hey, I like to know what everyone
is saying!) One article I read was called Ladies, Protesting Isn't Going To Cut It. While I find the title of the article condescending, the article did point out that "protesting" is just part of a strategic plan of civic engagement.

Of course, demonstrating and protesting is just one
aspect of the resistance. I am part of several Facebook groups of
march participants and people are continually posting about their
experiences contacting their elected officials and other calls to
action. I hope all who attend the march are inspired to be more engaged!Because really, there needs to be all kinds of people in this fight. If protesting is
your thing, we need you. If you decide to run for office, we need
you. If you are one to contact your representatives, we need you too.
And we need everyone in between! There is a place for everything, and
we all need to do what we are the most comfortable with.So while I'm a little apprehensive about marching in Washington, I know I will never regret the principles I am marching for!

Are you marching? Attending a sister march?Do you get apprehensive in large crowds?What is an issue you care deeply about?

It is so cool that you are going to this event! It's possible that this will come out the wrong way, but my degrees are in communication with an emphasis on political rhetoric and political movements. My capstone class in undergrad was a Civic Engagement class, and in grad school I focused on the ways entertainment TV shows --- aka not news/fact based shows (specifically Glenn Beck) -- persuade voters. A part of me is excited and geeking out that everything I studied is actually playing out in real time and I can see first hand how it unfolds. The other part of me is, of course, disgusted by the whole situation. This makes me want to go back to school and get my pH-D which is something I always said I would go back and do ... but school is too expensive and I don't think it would further my career.

I love that you're doing this. I'm trying to think hard about your last question. Maybe my answer is a bit dumb, but for the most part, I'm pretty easy going and open-minded, but there is one thing that gets me pretty passionate and that is when parents do not vaccinate their kids, and when parents bring their sick kids into public. I nearly got into a fist fight over that one with my neighbor years ago when my oldest boys were toddlers. I was babysitting my niece (she was an infant at the time) and she has an older brother who is in a wheelchair (he has severe cerbral palsy) and my neighbor sent her daughter to our house with chicken pox without letting me know. I called her up and asked what the spots were and she casually replied with "oh, just chicken pox." My second son has a blood disorder and if he gets any communicable diseases, he needs blood transfusions, and my nephew certainly can't even itch his spots in his wheelchair if he were to get chickenpox. We had a HUGE yelling match, and we moved shortly after that.

I don't think vaccinations/sick kids in public is dumb! I feel like vaccinations is an issue where people's stupid decisions AFFECT ALL OF US. Like, okay, if not vaccinating only affected your family, then okay. But when healthy people are NOT vaccinated then we don't have the herd and then the sick little kids who CAN'T be vaccinated are more likely to get diseases! Okay here I go explaining to you everything you already know. :) I just wish people would research people they decide to be so hippy dippy that they don't vaccinate their kids. I think the US had some cases of measles these past couple years. MEASLES!!!! We should NOT BE GETTING MEASLES!!!!

It will be a great weekend! just have a back up plan with your mom on what to do if anything happens, like where to meet if you get separated, where to meet if something bigger happens, who to call in case of emergency... Roger always tells me what to do in case of attacks and stuff... and I always ask "Can't I just run as fast as I can the other way?". Have a better plan than mine.

I'm not marching, but I will be thinking of all of you going into this march. You are amazing!

My friend Cherry is going to this. I wish you all the best and hope you're all safe. I know things can get really dicey up there with security especially right now, so be vigilant in protecting each other, too. I can't wait to read about your experience.

I'm marching in a sister march in Naples on Saturday. I'll be wearing a pussy hat my friend knitted me and I'm making a sign...I'm not sure what to put on it yet! I was thinking "Women's Rights are Human Rights" or "None of us are free until all of us are free" or "strong women = strong world" or something similar. I am very excited but if I were going to DC I'd be nervous, too. I'm so proud of how many women are coming together - and men, and people all across all spectrums - to show solidarity.

I am so glad you and your sis are marching! My friend said she is knitting me a pussy hat so hopefully I have one too! I have never made a sign in my life... Prob won't do that. But I wish I was creative and/or had the gumption to do that. I don't have lessons after school tomorrow, maybe I could make one.... I like all of your ideas for sign slogans. My favorite is "None of us are free until all of us are free"

I hope you have a good experience! and I hope it goes peaceful. I have not felt any connection to want to be part of this, I just don't. I am free already (sorta) hit me up around tax time and I don't feel as free as I should. I am passionate about those kind of issues. (Not this march!!! but the many incidents the past few years) I am passionately against rioting, crime, and violent fools who put others at risk for harm and call it "protesting" and I support police charities. I support our troops and I am passionate about animals and over the years I have supported charities and rescue organizations in many ways. I am passionate the rights of the aging, particularly the aging poor because I see how my Mom struggles and it wont be long and I will be there myself.

I am very supportive of police and troops as well! Oh and ever since Paul had his health issues and had to take ridesome in ambulances I have been more cognizant ogmf all they do. Basically Karen, the older I get the more I appreciate public servants, doctors, nurses, etc.

I feel pretty free too but not everyone does. And what a privilege to feel this way! So I feel the need to stand up for people that need it. And our freaking planet! I feel like our rights are under attack and I'm not going to sit by and just watch.

I hope everything goes well at the march! I've seen several of my FB friends mentioning it too. Can't believe it's here already. This is going to be one crazy weekend no matter what! (ok, crazy next 4 years really)